Hobbit home

Pacifica Garden Centre

Pacifica Garden Centre in Papamoa has became part of Middle Earth with the opening of its very own hobbit house.

According to manager and co-owner Bonnie Bill, 'We had always wanted a children's play area that matched the creativity of our interactive landscapes out front. When we made a start last year, people kept telling us we should have a Wendy House. We had a small hill in the play area, so it just seemed logical to build a place for the little people into it.'

The house, designed and built by Bonnie's husband Cliff, is constructed of timber posts and marine plywood. And just like the real thing in the movies, it has its very own turf roof.

The playground is alive with both children and Resene colours of Resene Deep Koamaru (deep purple), Resene Pacifica (spicy green) and Resene Tangerine (orange).

Asked what next he had up his sleeve, Cliff laughed and said, 'Well, you can't really have a hobbit house without a fairy castle, but I'll have to think about that one for a while!'

Creator: Cliff Van Eaton, Pacifica Garden Centre & Café
From the Resene News – issue 1/2005